I love audio problem-solving boxes. Covert this, convert that, match levels here, pro to consumer, consumer to pro. You name it, I have probably reviewed it in my nearly 30 years of evaluating gear.

Enter the Essence EVOLVE II-4K ($299). Similar to the company’s original Evolve interface from a few years ago, the new unit has been updated with HDMI 2.0 for 4K sources and displays and great sounding 7.1 multi-channel ESS DAC chip.

The EVOLVE II-4K evolved from the product line of original HDMI de-embedder from seven years ago. In fact, I did a roundup review in the spring of 2013. (Click Here to read the roundup.)

The EVOLVE II's DAC performance, combined with a quality, multi-channel analog input/output preamp, rivals or exceeds what you get out of many modern pre/pros, receivers or BD player D/A sections. An Oppo 205‘s analog output did not sound any better than the EVOLVE II through my AudioControl Maestro M3 pre/pro.

These de-embedders allow users to take the LPCM audio from a HDMI output source, such as a universal/Blu-ray player, and play it through the box’s internal DAC (multi-channel or stereo). More important to me, these problem solvers allowed the end user to tap into a universal player’s original two-channel output, via the HDMI, and feed an outboard DAC through a SPDIF output contained in the de-embedder. BD, DVD-A’s, files on a USB stick could be output full hi res via the de-embedder-to-DAC connection.

These de-embedders became very popular for audiophiles and videophiles who wanted more versatility from their Blu-ray player.

Enter the EVOLVE II-4K

The Essence EVOLVE II-4K is the most complete HDMI interface box yet. It features HDMI input (accepting any HDMI standard from 2.0 back and older), 7.1 channel internal ESS DAC via RCA output, two-channel PCM up to 24/192 via TOSlink, and finally, HDMI pass through, which means this box enables compatibility of older and newer HDMI standard products, such as receivers, pre/pros and BD players.

Easy-to-connect: HDMI in and analog or TOSLink out

The compatibility with HDMI 2.0 standard means that it supports 4K video and advanced audio formats such as Dolby Atmos. If your current preamp or receiver does not support HDMI 2.0, you can use the EVOLVE II-4K as a video I/O and the multichannel analog output routed to your existing pre/pro or receiver

My interest in the EVOLVE II-4K was two fold: first, to maintain classic HDMI de-embedder capability to grab the full hi res stereo PCM stereo soundtracks from BD's and DVD-A's and feed that audio to a separate, outboard stereo DAC; and second, to enable high quality multichannel D/A conversion capability for those who have great legacy multichannel input preamps or receivers, but can no longer find multichannel D/A BD players to connect. Oppo was the last man multi-channel BD player standing, but gave up the fight two years ago with its much-lamented shutdown in 2018.

Features

The EVOLVE II-4K is a simple, easy to use problem solving interface. It is a half-rack sized, powered by a 12-volt, DC external wall wart. It sports a rear panel connection panel with HDMI input, HDMI pass-through, TOSlink digital output and 7.1 multichannel analog output, thanks to the ESS chip set. The analog outputs are: L, C, R, SL, SR, SBL, SBR, and SW. That’s all there is to it. So simple, yet so useful. A selector switch selects between TV 24/48 mode and full LPCM 7.1 channel output.

The EVOLVE II-4K was designed with the ESS 9008 8-channel, 24-bit chip set, which is more modestly priced than the 9018/9028/9038 32-bit upper end series DAC chips. (The 9008 chip is able to decode DSD from an HDMI equipped SACD player, but the DSD-to analog conversion is not enabled in the EVOLVE II).

As proven by the EVOLVE II’s subjective performance, the ESS 9008 is a very good sounding chip set, and its lower price helps keep the EVOLVE II cost down. The EVOLVE II's $300 price point is amazing — considering what it does, and how it sounds.

ESS 9008 DAC Chip Factory Specs

DNR: +134 dB (mono mode)

DNR: +128 dB (8-channel mode)

THD+N: –118 dB (8-channel mode)

Tap into your BD player's bitstream For those who rely on separate DACs but want to link to an HDMI-equipped player, the EVOLVE II enables you to extract the digital LPCM, hi-res, stereo soundtrack from Blu-ray concerts and specific BD hi-res albums that players do not allow to be transmit in full-res outside the player’s internal converter. Try plugging a BD player's SPDIF output into a DAC and play the Blu-ray music. Nada, it wont play it. Plug the HDMI into the EVOLVE II, and viola, full hi-res stereo to your favorite DAC or the essences's box’s internal DAC.

A RCA portable BD player becomes a hi-res audio player

For those with DVD-As, most BD/universal players will “dumb down” the SPDIF digital output, 24/96 or 24/192 will become 16/48, or 24/48. Down conversion sounds awful. But with a player’s HDMI output connected to the EVOLVE II, your DVD-A’s 24/192 stereo can be output to your favorite DAC through the TOSlink output. No dumbed down audio with Evolve II.

My other favorite feature of the EVOLVE II is its ability to give excellent multi-channel D/A conversion (and inexpensively) for those who have great sounding preamps with multi-channel inputs that don’t have or don’t like to use onboard conversion. In the early days of BD players, they all had D/A multi-channel outputs. They disappeared as preamps and receivers with onbaod DAC's took over, but the prepare/receiver D/A sections quality is not always better than a players D/A output.

There are great sounding analog input/output legacy preamps and receivers from Lexicon, Parasound, AudioControl, Marantz, Denon etc, that just need quality input source. If you have an older Oppo 83 to 205 series that still work, you are good to go, but those players are getting old, breaking down — and parts are hard to find. The Evolve II is yor best choice if you want to keep using analog input preamps sections for multi-channel.

The EVOLVE II allows you to take any BD player with HDMI, even a $100 one, and feed the EVOLVE II HDMI input, which decodes the LPCM 7.1 bitstream (Dolby Digital, DolbyTruHD, DTS Master HD) etc, and outputs audio via the eight RCA analog output jacks. Just like your Oppo (or any other onboard multi-channel D/A BD player did). If you liked the sound of your of your analog I/O, multi-channel preamp or receiver, you can keep using it. Thanks to EVOLVE II.

In Use

I set up several testing scenarios for the EVOLVE II: one for feeding a stereo DAC from EVOLVE II’s TOSlink output and the other for three multi-channel interface scenarios, utilizing the EVOLVE II's multi-channel DAC output for connection to two older, analog, multi-channel input receivers and high-end multi-channel pre/pro.

For example, I played the 24/192 stereo tracks from the 2L Ole Bull classical violin Blu-Ray, and it sounded amazing, coming out of the $149 portable, battery powered, RCA BRC 3087 Blu-ray car player. The Benchmark DAC was doing all the conversion, thanks to the EVOLVE II interface.

For the stereo PCM de-embedder, the Evolve II worked like a charm. I could use most any BD player. Just plug in the HDMI output from the player to the EVOLVE II, and connect a TOSlink cable from the EVOLVE II to a separate DAC, such as my Prism Sound Callia or Benchmark DAC3 HGC. The former required an optical-to-RCA digital converter connector

For example, I played the 24/192 stereo tracks from the 2L Ole Bull classical violin Blu-Ray, and it sounded amazing, coming out of the $149 portable, battery powered, RCA BRC 3087 Blu-ray car player. The Benchmark DAC was doing all the conversion, thanks to the EVOLVE II interface. It also worked like a charm with the Prism Callia DAC.

Music BD play options increased with EVOLVE II

I really enjoyed my two concert Blu-ray’s: The Who — Live At The Isle of Wight, and Woodstock — Anniversary 2.0 sereo soundtracks, using the RCA car player. The EVOLVE II’s ability to relay two-channel PCM stereo output also means you can play hi-res files up to 24/192 from USB drive port Blu-ray players.

Also, if you have an economy BD player with only a built-in HDMI output (not even stereo analog out), you can use the EVOLVE II's L- and R- analog DAC outputs and still have better sound than 90 percent of the receivers out there that are used as the DAC for BD players. (New receiver D/A sections seems to be designed with economy, rather than audio quality, in mind.)

The onboard EVOLVE II’s ESS DAC is really good. You have to really have an astute ear to discern appreciable difference between it and more up-scale DACs in real world listening. The sound character is smooth.

Thanks to EVOLVE II, as the go between box, I enjoyed transparent DVD-A PCM transmitted from the Pioneer to the Benchmark DAC3. No dumbed-down conversion, reduced quality out of the player for me.

Multi-channel DAC via EVOLVE II

The EVOLVE II is basically the last box standing in terms of giving us audiophile/videophiles the equivalent of multi-channel output BD player. With its ability to convert advanced digital audio bitstreams to 7.1 channel analog output for connection to your favorite analog input multi-channel preamp, the EVOLVE II is the new Oppo.

You may have forgotten how good older, multi-channel,analog input preamps and receivers sounded with analog input from the older BD players. Well, I have not forgotten, and I truly lament the demise of onboard BD player D/A conversion and the lack of multi-channel inputs on most newer pre/pros and receivers.

To test the EVOLVE II’s D/A conversion quality, I tried it with a mid-priced 2006 Denon 2802 A/V receivers with good-sounding, multi-channel I/O preamp/amp section, and a 2012 AudioControl Maestro 3 Pre/Pro, also with multi-channel analog/input.

Give multi-channel analog input receiver new life.

Using the EVOLVE II, I was impressed with how good the old Denon receiver sounded using the EVOLVE II DAC/Denon 2802 receiver for the audio. The ESS 9008-based 7.1 D/A in the EVOLVE II, in combo with the 2802's multi-channel preamp/amp sections, showcased a smooth, articulate sonic signature for surround track listening.

The Evolve II's sonic character is much smoother than many newer, mid-priced receivers that use cheap, onboard D/A decoding and skimpy amps. On the Adele — Live At The Albert Hall Blu-ray, the dynamics and concert space impressions were very positive from the $300 box. A sample of the animated BD, Monsters Vs Aliens, revealed the EVOLVE II’s smoothness and abundant detail on movie soundtracks. I was impressed with the ESS 9008 D/A chip while doing the review. It sounds really good. Only on very careful A/B listening tests, with matched stereo track levels and a transparent revealing headphone amp, could I hear any differences between the EVOLVE II and an Oppo 205 BD/universal player’s analog output. The EVOLVE II is that good!

Legacy prepro's like Evolve II With the EVOLVE II's 7.1 output linked to my 2012, AudioControl Maestro 3’s analog multi-channel input, I found the playback of the same movies and concerts a step up over the Denon receiver, due to the AC’s Arcam-based, more upscale analog section (the M3 was originally $7,000). I used three Mytek Brooklyn Class D amps for amplification and my reference professional Westlake Cinema speakers in a 5.1 configuration.

By the way the Maestro’s onboard D/A processor used a highly regarded Wolfson multi-channel DAC in its day (and even today it sounds good), but I could not reliably hear a difference when I compared it to the EVOLVE II’s multi-channel D/A performance. The box always impressed my ears.

The Maestro 3/EVOLVE II combo also made for a great stereo music listening experience. Although its design is from a few years ago, it is definitely audiophile in character. I particularly liked how good my AIX Mark Chestnut Blu-ray disc stereo soundtrack sounded with this combo.

The verdict All in all, the Essence EVOLVE II is a no brainer for getting HDMI audio devices to link up and produce quality audio. It transmits up to 24/192 LPCM stereo, as well as the advanced, lossless audio soundtracks of movies — via the multi-channel 7.1 output. It also allows your HDMI video to pass straight to a TV (through the HDMI output) so you can have the latest 4k LED TV and use your old pre/pro or receiver. With the EVOLVE II box, you do not need to upgrade the receiver.

Thanks to EVOLVE II, as the go between box, I enjoyed transparent DVD-A PCM transmitted from the Pioneer to the Benchmark DAC3. No dumbed-down conversion, reduced quality out of the player for me.

I think the EVOLVE II is a steal at $299. My only complaints: it does not decode DSD from SACD/universal player. I did find that with an HDMI-output Macbook Pro laptop, the EVOLVE II would pass a software-based player’s (Audirvana, FooBar, etc.) DSD-over-DoP data stream through the TOSlink output jack. The DSD data stream is transmitted inside a LPCM 24/176 carrier, which is decoded by a DSD-over-DoP capable DAC; I used a Benchmark DAC3 HGC to decode the DSD that was passed through the TOSlink connection. The EVOLVE II internal converters do not convert the DSD.

My other niggle was that Evolve does not have a SPDIF coax jack. Some of the newer TOSLink circuits in other devices do not support 24/192. RCA SPDIF always does.

The onboard EVOLVE II’s ESS DAC is really good. You have to really have an astute ear to discern appreciable difference between it and more up-scale DACs in real world listening. The sound character is smooth.

Overall, the EVOLVE II is a quite useful as a low-cost, combo HDMI de-embedder/high-quality, multi-channel DAC that nets you up to 24/192 quality from lossless codecs (DTS MasterHD, Dolby TruHD) and LPCM multi-channel or stereo audio. This box gives you the ability to use virtually any Blu-ray player with any legacy or current multi-channel input analog preamplifier, or preamp section contained in a receiver. And the results are amazing, given the price. The SPDIF output offers two-channel music lovers the ability to play BD and DVD-A soundtracks through an outboard DAC.

Video-wise, the EVOLVE II's HDMI 2.0 spec input/output bypass circuit also allows the end-user to connect to any 4K screen, and enables older legacy HDMI devices to work with newer receivers and preamps.

The EVOLVE II's DAC performance, combined with a quality, multi-channel analog input/output preamp, rivals or exceeds what you get out of many modern pre/pros, receivers or BD player D/A sections. An Oppo 205‘s analog output did not sound any better through my AudioControl Maestro M3 pre/pro.

And in a later test scenario, I found that the EVOLVE II's multichannel D/A output sounded better than a $3,000 Marantz receiver I had on hand. The Marantz's internal decoding was, subjectively, much more closed in than the Essence EVOLVE II’s multi-channel D/A output connected to the Marantz’s analog inputs.

Thursday, March 12, 2020

After a lively Friday with a good crowd going through the show, Saturday, Day 2, could only be described as crowded. There were some rooms that I could not get into and I had to note to myself to come back. The Florida Audio Expo, was held Feb. 2 and 3 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Tampa.

These shows are great because there is always something new. I do not mean a new model or version of a previous product, but something that is really new in our realm. There is a company that has heard the cry of “bring out a product that makes sense!”

Andover's neo console

Andover has brought a record player that can be considered by the way it sounds an entry-level audiophile product. The Model One Record Player dose sounds just great. Almost a throwback to the console. It is modular in that you can start off with the top (Model One), which consists of a built-in TT (Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Espirit SB), and cartridge (Ortofon OM2 Silver).

Consoles are cool again

In this box, there are proprietary isolation for the TT, four woofers and two air motion tweeters, full-range preamp, bi-amplification, dedicated headphone amp, wireless Bluetooth, analog and digital connectivity, including Streaming Device Support. The digital connectivity includes a mini-USB connector for a two-way PC connection that will allow a 16-bit connection. There is an optical (24 bit/96k) and coax connection (24 bit/192k) for an external DAC connection. Sometime in the next three months, there will be a $100 streamer called the Songbird available. That is a lot of stuff in this small tabletop box.

But there’s more. You can add LP storage and or a subwoofer. The system needs to be against the wall and have space on either side. The sound radiates out the sides and bounces of the wall to give an extremely wide image. Yes, the Model One images; it’s dispersed, not sharp distinct instruments but has a very pleasant sound that would be home in any living room or dorm room. I consider this a lifestyle product for the average Joe. I am sure the high-end critics could pick the sound apart. But this is a product to play and enjoy music. Andover also has the Spinbase which is just the amp and speakers with built-in isolation for a user-supplied TT.

Andover Planr magnetic PM-50 HPs

And the surprises just keep coming. Andover has a planar magnetic headphone, the PM-50. These are open back, very comfortable and in keeping with the rest of Andover’s products, sound great at a very reasonable price point. $500. I do not think you can hear a better headphone unless you spend three times more. Click Here for more company info.

Meze Empyrean HP and HeadAmp GS-X Mini-Amp

I have made it a personal goal this year to gain an understanding of the headphone world of audio reproduction. I have been lucky to have a dedicated music room and felt there was no need in my life for headphones other than at the gym or on my workbench. So, at this show instead of skipping the headphone vendors, I started to explore with a renewed enthusiasm.

I listened to the Meze Empyrean up in the Benchmark room, which I liked very much. So here in the HeadAmp room, I had another chance, coupled to their GS-X mini amp. Boy, was this a good combination. Talking about being there = into the music. Talking about silky smooth, like diving into a tub of warm peanut butter.

HeadAmp Blue Hawaii: perfect for playing Elvis music

Their flagship system included a Blue Hawaii and the SR-009s Stax headphones. These headphones come alive with detail, transparency, and bass control unheard with lesser amplifiers. This was a very special sound; also, very fast and precise. The Blue Hawaii amp uses EL84 output tubes. They have solved the production lag time and can now promise four-week delivery. Click Here for more company info.

ML’s Dennis Chern set up the room perfectly with a very wide image and no beaming of the highs. The music was very fine from anywhere in the room. The new McIntosh 352 Integrated amp a hybrid design with a vacuum tube preamp and solid-state power amp, capable of 200 Watts into 8 Ohms and 320 Watts into 4 Ohms with a 5-band tone control. MAC has kept the classic look in this unit, for all the MAC lovers out there. Click Here for more company info.

70 wpc made-in-Greece Tsakiridis Aeolos Ultra integrated amp

Antal Audio Group, an upstate NY dealer, was showing a pair of french Triangle Signature Delta speakers driven by Tsakiridis electronics. Tsakiridis are Greek designed and built. I find the Tsakiridis equipment most intriguing. First, there was lots of glass, and I like tube amps.

There was a configuration the would make just about anyone happy. SET’s, push-pull's, Integrated, power amps, monoblocks, preamps, you name it and they have it, in what I call as an updated classic form. Very handsome looking stuff, at a price point that is hard to believe. The sound was excellent, would make anyone very happy to have in their living room.

Triangle Signature Delta

What we were hearing was the middle of the line of Triangle speakers, driven by very reasonably priced electronics. The Alexander line-level preamp with phono retails for $2,695. The Orpheus (211) 15w monoblocks were $3,600/pair. The Aeolos Ultra (KT150) 70 watt integrated is $3295. This stuff is a bargain. Click Herefor more conpany info.

Spatial Audio And LTA

In the Spatial Audio room, they had a show special for $10.5k that was a shocker. The sound was alive, a being there moment. We had the Spatial Audio M3 Sapphire, introduced earlier this year with the Lampizator Amber 3 DAC ($2750) and the Linear Tube Audio Z10 Integrated amp ($4,900). If you did the math you were practically getting the DAC for free. When they said, “Show Special” they meant it.

Spatial Audio M3

I have known Mark Schnieder from the beginning of LTA and watched and listen to the growth and improvements in the products over time. But I noticed a big change at last year's Axpona. Music was becoming more to my liking, sweeter, rounder, and most satisfying. So when I had the chance I asked, “what changed”? Besides the obvious, Mark told me that the new case work not looks really good, but it also dampens vibrations in the unit.

He told me they just spent a lot of time listening to various components in the signal path and made changes where it was a positive change. This integrated amp if your speakers are highly efficient is a beautiful piece of kit.

Made-in-Maryland Linear Tube Audio Z10 integrded amplifier

The Spatial Audio M3 is a good match for this Integrated. This is a two-way open baffle speaker. I am a big fan of dipoles. They present what I feel is a very realistic image. There is nothing holding anything back here. Nothing to get in the way of the music. Presence, presence, presence. Drop the mike.

I went back on Sunday morning and listened again talked with Clayton Shaw for a while, and bought a pair. Click Here for more Spatial Audio info. Click Here for more LTA info.

"Kick-ass" HP amp from TCA

On TCA’s website under the “About” tab, it says – “I am Tom Christiansen, and I design kick-ass audio circuits!” I heartily agree. Tom Christiansen designs and builds the little HPA-1 headphone amp in Canada. Only the case is made overseas.

The TCA HPA-1 will "catch your ear"

This amp can drive almost any headphone (Non-electrostatics) with 1-watt output at 32 ohms and .25 watt at 300 ohms. The noise floor is in a black hole along with the THD; “kick-ass” is right. I listened with the Sennheiser HD-600 and a Tidal feed. I could have spent the rest of the day there, mining the music library, and I know I would never tire of the sound. This $899 amp gave up a large and highly realistic soundstage that kept my interest note after note.

The final room for the day was the MoFi room. Another $10k show special room. I guess the bean counters figured that $10,000 was a magic price point for an impulse system buy.

Swiss-made Piega Premium Wireless 701

The speakers were the Piega Premium Wireless 701 from Switzerland. This was the USA debut. A nice looking aluminum cabinet floor stander. These were active and wireless. Just an AC mains cable. Controlling these beauties was the new Primare I15 integrated amp being used as a preamp. A very clean looking and sounding system. Click Herefor more company info.

***More Florida Audio Show coverage to follow with Part Three!***

Paul Elliott is a long-time audiophile, based in Baltimore. He is a freelance writer and chief photographer of the DC Hi-Fi Group.